But it's the lens that looks to be the star of the show: the 35mm f/2.0 Carl Zeiss optic includes advanced asperhical lens elements to perfectly match the sensor for the best in optical quality.

There are three rings around the lens that make it similar to a classic lens: aperture control, a focus ring and a third control that jumps into the macro focus mode.

With nine aperture blades the classic blurred-background bokeh effect should also be sumptious, so we're told.

A stripped-back design doesn't look overly complex, but this no-frills look has its own appeal. The body is made from aluminium for a rugged yet lightweight finish, while the 3-inch LCD on the rear is the same WRGB one as found in the 1-inch sensor RX100 model.

But that sensor and that lens come at a price, all £2,600 of it. It's not cheap, but for serious snappers that want no-holds-barred quality the RX1 looks like an epic prospect. We'll be playing with one in the next few days - the rest of the world will have to wait until December before product ships - so keep those eyes peeled for our first impressions before the week is out.